Estate

Lord & Lindley - Lawyers in Charlotte NC

Gene Hackman’s Estate: A Hollywood Icon’s Legacy Faces Legal Disputes

March 17, 2025

Gene Hackman, the legendary two-time Oscar-winning actor, left behind an impressive film legacy—but now, his estate is facing potential legal challenges. According to reports, Hackman’s will does not name his three children as beneficiaries, instead leaving the bulk of his estate to his longtime wife, Betsy Arakawa. Betsy predeceased him by a number of days…

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What Happens When a Celebrity Dies Without a Will? Lessons from Pop Culture

March 4, 2025

Did you know that approximately 7 out of 10 Americans don’t have a will? Despite having vast wealth and resources, even some of the world’s most famous celebrities fail to create a proper estate plan. The consequences? Years of legal battles, family disputes, and unnecessary financial losses. A prime example is Prince, whose $156 million…

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Understanding the Basics of Trust and Estate Litigation

November 5, 2024

Trust and estate litigation is a complex legal area concerned with disputes surrounding the management, administration, and distribution of assets. These disputes can arise from various issues, including the validity of a will, the interpretation of trust documents, or the actions of executors and trustees. Understanding the fundamental concepts is crucial for anyone involved in…

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Prince’s Estate Dispute: Court Rejects Heirs’ Bid to Dismiss Lawsuit

July 12, 2024

The legal wrangling surrounding the estate of music legend Prince continues. According to a recent Associated Press article, a Delaware judge has rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Prince’s former business advisors, L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer Jr. At the heart of the dispute is a limited liability company (LLC) established…

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Beach Boys Founder Brian Wilson Placed Under Conservatorship After Wife’s Death

May 17, 2024

Legendary musician Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys, was recently placed under a conservatorship by a Los Angeles court. This decision comes more than three months after the passing of his wife Melinda, who served as his primary caregiver. Following Melinda’s death, the responsibility of caring for Brian has fallen on his longtime publicist…

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Family Feud Erupts at Longtime Charlotte Nursery Company

May 10, 2024

Baucom’s Nursery Co., a family-owned business that has been a staple in Charlotte for over 75 years, is embroiled in a bitter legal battle. The lawsuit pits Amon (Chip) Baucom Jr.’s side of the family against Gary Baucom’s side, with accusations of fraud, embezzlement, and self-enrichment flying. The dispute centers around allegations of financial mismanagement…

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O.J. Simpson’s Executor of Estate Planning Faces Complications with Goldman and Brown Family Payout — Why is This Judgement Still Enforceable After All These Years?

April 19, 2024

On April 10, 2024, Orenthal James Simpson (O.J. Simpson) passed away at the age of 76. This event reignited a decades-old civil case stemming from the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. In 1997, a civil jury found Simpson liable for their deaths and ordered him to pay a staggering $33.5 million…

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Jay Leno’s Request For Conservatorship of His Wife’s Estate is Granted — Understanding Guardianships and How They Keep Your Loved Ones Safe

April 12, 2024

Former host of the “Tonight Show” Jay Leno was granted conservatorship of his wife Mavis Leno’s estate on Tuesday. In a Los Angeles courtroom, the judge determined that the conservatorship would be “necessary and appropriate” for this case given that Mavis Leno has Alzheimer’s and experiences advanced dementia. According to the files released after the…

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Dr. Oz Claims His Sister Forged Their Late Father’s Will—how Would He Make This Claim in North Carolina?

April 6, 2022

Famous TV doctor Mehmet Oz—better known as “Dr. Oz”—recently accused his sister, Nazlim, of forging their late father’s will and stealing millions from his estate.  A 2008 will left all of Mustafa Oz’s assets to the Mustafa Oz Foundation, a United States organization, and left Dr. Oz in charge of the foundation; however, Nazlim presented a…

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Disinherited Spouses and the Right Of Elective Share

November 14, 2019

Ric Ocasek, famed singer for The Cars, recently passed away leaving behind a will that purportedly removes his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova, as a beneficiary of his estate.  Ocasek and Porizkova were in the process of divorcing when Ocasek died; however, the divorce was not finalized, and the two were still legally married.  Removing one’s…

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